Juggling Playdates and PowerPoints: A Tribute to Working Parents
To all the working parents and guardians out there, this one’s for you.
I spent most of last week in Amsterdam facilitating a workshop with some brilliant health advocates, clinicians, researchers and change makers from across the US and Europe. To say I loved every moment of it is an understatement. The commitment of those present, the depth of their discussions, and the impact they're making together kept me buzzing every day. It was difficult to think of anything else – almost – as
even in the midst of such fulfilling work, parenthood has a way of gently tapping us on the shoulder.
On day two of the meeting, as I was getting ready in my hotel room, I found one of my son’s toy figurines in my handbag. He’d given it to me because it was the only female figure in the box he’d just opened, and he thought I’d like to have it. “Girl power!” he said, and we giggled. He knows me well. The memory of that exchange rushed in and I was suddenly flooded with unnecessary anxiety: Did he get off to school okay? Did his dad remember to pack his favourite snack? Is he happy? And so on.
I know my son is perfectly fine without me for a few days. He has all the love and support of his father and friends. He isn’t a baby anymore, and maybe that’s the real challenge. Maybe it wasn’t Momma Guilt I felt, but Momma FOMO (fear of missing out). It’s bad enough he doesn’t want me to kiss him goodbye at the school gates anymore. Pretty soon, he’ll have a driver’s license, a career, a life, and he won’t remember to call on the weekends if I don’t make it home soon! I mean, come on; a lot can happen in four days!! 😯
I jest. Kind of. But in all seriousness, this wild ride of balancing impactful work and parenthood is one we’re all navigating. Whether we’re shaping the future in the boardroom or at home, it’s a delicate dance we’ve learned to master. Sure, sometimes that FOMO sneaks in, but let’s face it: we’re doing an incredible job managing both.
So here’s to all the parents juggling playdates and PowerPoints, hugs and high-stakes meetings. Let’s keep lifting each other up as we shape the future at work and at home. After all, if we forget the snack once in a while, it’s just a reminder that even superheroes need a break too. 😉
P.S. special thanks to everyone who attended the GBS|CIDP Foundation International's European Volunteer Workshop and embraced me as part of your amazing family.
